Return To Paradise review: Death in Paradise spin-off recreates successful formula Down Under
By Helen Fear |Return to Paradise is the latest Death in Paradise spin-off to wash up ashore on BBC One, and this time the murder mysteries occur Down Under in Australia.
The six-part series joins the popular Death in Paradise franchise (aka the Paraverse), and there's even a surprise guest appearance from an old Death in Paradise favourite...
The plot introduces Australian copper Mackenzie Clarke, described as a "brilliant ex-pat Detective Inspector". However, she has fled the UK back to her hometown, the coastal hometown of Dolphin Cove.
So is Return to Paradise worth a watch? Find out in our review (with no spoilers)...
Return to Paradise review
The new Death in Paradise spin-off follows Beyond Paradise, which launched in 2023. To be fair, Beyond Paradise was already a dead cert for success, as Kris Marshall reprised his role as popular former Death in Paradise detective Humphrey Goodman.
Return to Paradise doesn't have a cast bulging with familiar faces (unless you've watched a lot of Neighbours and Home and Away). But it does have much of what makes Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise so popular.
The latest Paraverse series does exactly what it says on the tin. If you like Death in Paradise, and Beyond Paradise, then you'll also enjoy Return to Paradise.
Who is DI Mackenzie Clarke?
Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke - aka Mack - has fled London amid controversy, and returns to the last place she ever wanted to be - her small, coastal hometown of Dolphin Cove.
But when local royalty Stuart Granger washes ashore with a knife in his back in the middle of a surf carnival, Mackenzie must rely on the residents of Dolphin Cove to help her solve the case. It's a pity they all hate her.
Mack is slightly odd, with eyes that dart about like a praying mantis. She is reminiscent of a female Marc Warren in Van der Valk. She's socially awkward, rude, abrupt, and seems to hate physical contact.
It's been done before with characters such as Saga Noren in The Bridge. You might not want to go down the pub with her, but you'd want her investigating your murder.
Return to Paradise review: Is BBC series any good?
Return to Paradise takes the winning formula of its predecessors and plonks them in Oz.
The new series combines the tried-and-tested combo of a fish out of water detective, a comedy character or two, a beautiful location, and a will-they-won't-they romantic relationship. It's a murder mystery on a stunning beach (win/win). And then there's the mystery within a mystery.
Okay, the storytelling doesn't have the strength of something like Ludwig. But, as well as the episodic crime, there's also the additional mystery surrounding Mack's past. Why did she leave her fiancé at the alter six years ago, and why has she fled the UK now?
Of course, the biggest mystery is why the hell anyone would leave a place as beautiful as Dolphin Cove in the first place.
Return to Paradise doesn't break any moulds. But it doesn't need to. Death in Paradise continues its popularity with its upcoming 14th season. Beyond Paradise is currently filming its third series. Viewers love the formula. And if it ain't broke...
